[Reactive arthritis: terminology, etiology and pathogenesis]

Different serovars of Y. enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and Pseudomonas pauimobilis were isolated from the synovial fluid of 23 out of 34 patients with Yersinia-triggered arthritis by a new bacteriological method based on the selection of the optimal conditions for microorganism culturing; in some cases the strains were isolated repeatedly. The authors discuss the necessity of correcting the previous notions on the aseptic nature of reactive arthritis.